Beware of Unpaid Toll Scams: How to Spot and Avoid Them
As digital payments and automated toll systems become more common across the U.S., so too have scams exploiting these technologies. One increasingly common threat is the unpaid toll scam, where criminals pose as tolling agencies to trick drivers into paying fake fines or clicking on malicious links. These scams are often delivered via text messages, emails, or phone calls, and they can look convincingly legitimate. Here’s what you need to know to stay safe.
What Is an Unpaid Toll Scam?
An unpaid toll scam is a form of phishing or smishing (SMS phishing) where scammers impersonate official tolling agencies such as E-ZPass, SunPass, TxTag, or other regional authorities. The goal is to make the victim believe they have an outstanding toll fee and must take immediate action to avoid additional charges or legal trouble.
Common tactics include:
Text messages stating you owe a toll and must pay immediately via a provided link.
Emails mimicking legitimate toll agencies, complete with logos and threatening language.
Phone calls or voicemails warning of overdue payments or license suspensions.
How These Scams Work
Initial Contact: You receive a message saying something like: “You have an unpaid toll fee of $11.50. Pay now to avoid late penalties. [Fake Link].”
Urgency and Threats: The message will often include language urging you to act fast or face consequences like fines, legal action, or license suspension.
Click and Capture: If you click the link, it may:
Lead to a fake website asking for personal info or payment details.
Download malware onto your phone or computer.
Attempt to phish your login credentials for tolling or financial accounts.
Signs It’s a Scam
The message comes from a random phone number or suspicious email.
The link directs you to a non-official website (e.g., not ending in .gov or known tolling domains).
You are asked to enter sensitive information like your Social Security number, banking info, or full credit card details.
The message contains spelling errors, odd grammar, or generic greetings.
You don’t recall driving through a toll zone recently.
Legitimate Toll Agencies Typically Do Not:
Send payment requests via text (many use mailed notices or secure apps).
Threaten license suspension without prior official notices.
Ask for sensitive information over unsolicited calls or emails.
Use unsecured or shortened URLs (like bit.ly links) in official communications.
What To Do If You Receive a Suspicious Message
Do Not Click any links or download attachments.
Do Not Call Back or reply to the message.
Visit your toll agency’s official website directly or contact them using verified phone numbers.
Your state’s Department of Transportation (DOT) or tolling authority.
Your cellular provider, which may offer spam-blocking services.
If you accidentally entered information, monitor your bank accounts, change passwords, and consider a fraud alert with credit bureaus.
How to Protect Yourself
Enable spam filters on your phone and email.
Use multifactor authentication on toll accounts and financial logins.
Keep your phone and antivirus software up to date.
Don’t store credit card information on unverified websites or apps.
Be wary of any message that demands urgent payment—especially if it comes out of the blue.
Final Thoughts
Scammers thrive on confusion and urgency, and unpaid toll scams are designed to catch you off guard. As toll roads become more prevalent and payment systems more digitized, it’s critical to stay vigilant and verify before you pay. If you’re ever unsure, always go directly to the source—your official tolling agency’s website or customer service line.
Staying informed and cautious can help you avoid falling victim to these increasingly sophisticated scams.
Please feel free to visit our contact page if you require additional assistance!
Two-Factor Authentication, How Hackers Get Around SMS – Every time you’re online and a site sends a separate code to check your identity, you’re using two-factor authentication. It’s become the norm. So, of course, hackers have figured out how to get around this, too. This article shows you how they do it and how to stay safe.
With billions of usernames and passwords leaked, access credentials everywhere are at risk, especially if you are reusing your log-in information on more than one site (don’t do it!).
Business websites want to offer a secure user experience, so two-factor authentication (2FA) has become the norm. It’s meant to help stop automated attacks in which bad actors use the leaked usernames and passwords.
Still, if the site you’re visiting uses short message service (SMS) to send a one-time code to your phone, you could still be at risk.
Hackers, using information they have from a data leak, can call your telephone company. They use your name, date of birth, and other identifiers available on the Dark Web, to impersonate you. Then, say you’ve lost your phone, they transfer your phone number to a device with a different SIM card.
That means when the one-time SMS code gets sent your phone number, the message will instead go to their device.
Android Users Also Beware
On Android devices, hackers have an easier time getting access to text messages. If they have access to your leaked Google credentials, they can log into your Google Play account. From there, it’s simply a matter of installing a message-mirroring app on your smartphone.
The app synchronizes notifications across your different devices. It’s for when you really need to be connected, and you’ll be able to see your phone’s SMS alerts on your tablet!
The app won’t work unless you give it permission when prompted to do so, but too many people don’t stop to read alerts from their own accounts: they assume it’s another necessary update and go on with their day. Otherwise, the hacker might call you in a social engineering ploy pretending to be a legit service provider. They’ll be familiar to you, so you’re more likely to listen when they ask you to give permission.
Again, when the one-time SMS code gets sent to your phone, because of the message-mirroring app, the hacker’s device will also receive the code.
What Can You Do to Protect Yourself?
It starts with using unique passwords for all sites you visit. Worried you’ll forget them? A password manager can keep all your access credentials in one secure place for you.
You should also confirm that your credentials haven’t been compromised. If you use Google’s password service, you can head to the password manager site and tap “check passwords” to see if there are any issues. On Firefox, head to the Firefox Monitor page and “Check for Breaches.” On Safari, click on Preferences, and then on Passwords to see what recommendations they have for your security.
Change any passwords that have been involved in a leak!
To avoid the SMS concern specifically, avoid using one-time SMS codes to verify your identity. Instead, you can use a non-SMS authentication tool such as Google authenticator, which provides two-step verification services within the app itself.
Here’s some additional information you may find helpful:
Need help learning if your credentials have been leaked? Or want assistance setting up more security for your online activity? We can help. Contact our IT experts today at (651) 456-8655 or visit our CONTACT page.
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